Thinking of installing new flooring inside your home? If you’ve done any research, you might have luxury vinyl plank on your wishlist. And for good reason. It’s one of the hottest flooring choices on the market today. Homeowners love luxury vinyl planks for their:

• Durability: Luxury vinyl planks are highly durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture. This makes them ideal for high-traffic areas, households with pets or children, and areas prone to spills, like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Easy Maintenance: luxury vinyl planks are easy to clean and maintain. It requires regular sweeping or vacuuming to remove dirt and debris, and occasional mopping with a mild cleaner. Unlike hardwood, it doesn’t require refinishing or resealing over time.
• Aesthetics: luxury vinyl planks come in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures that can mimic the look of hardwood, stone, or tile flooring. Homeowners love that they can achieve the aesthetics they desire without the high cost associated with natural materials.
• Comfort: Unlike hardwood or tile flooring, luxury vinyl planks have a softer surface that provides some cushioning underfoot. This can make it more comfortable to walk on, especially for long periods.
• Affordability: While luxury vinyl planks offer the look and feel of high-end materials, they are typically more affordable than hardwood, stone, or tile flooring. This makes them an attractive option for homeowners looking to upgrade their floors without breaking the bank.

What’s your reason?

Luxury Vinyl Planks – Now Consider Thickness

Very quickly in your search, you’ll notice different materials and prices. What makes them different? Where should you spend the money?

Before we get into the differences in luxury vinyl products, it’s important first to understand how luxury vinyl planks are made. Luxury vinyl planks typically come with four layers:

• Wear Layer: This is the topmost layer of the plank and is responsible for protecting the floor from scratches, stains, and fading due to sunlight exposure.
• Print Layer: Beneath the wear layer is the print layer, also known as the design layer. This layer contains a high-definition photograph of natural materials like wood, stone, or tile, which gives the luxury vinyl planks its realistic appearance. Advanced printing techniques ensure that the patterns and textures closely mimic the look of natural materials.
• Core Layer: The core layer provides the luxury vinyl planks with structural stability and dimensional strength. It is typically made of either vinyl or a composite material such as stone plastic composite (SPC) or wood plastic composite (WPC). SPC cores are rigid and highly durable, while WPC cores offer additional resilience and comfort underfoot.
• Backing Layer: The bottom layer of the plank is the backing layer, which provides support and stability to the flooring. It may also have additional features, such as sound absorption or moisture resistance, depending on the specific product.

There are two layers where thickness matters in luxury vinyl planks, the wear layer and the core layer.

Wear Layer

The thickness of the wear layer on luxury vinyl planks can vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific product line. However, typical wear layer thicknesses for residential-grade LVP range from around 6 mil (0.15 mm) to 20 mil (0.5 mm), with commercial-grade options often featuring thicker wear layers.

Here’s a general guide to wear layer thickness and durability:

• 6 mil (0.15 mm) Wear Layer: This is on the thinner side and is suitable for low-traffic areas or residential use with minimal wear and tear.
• 12 mil (0.3 mm) Wear Layer: A mid-range thickness that offers good durability for most residential applications, including moderate to high-traffic areas like living rooms and hallways.
• 20 mil (0.5 mm) Wear Layer: This is considered a heavy-duty wear layer and provides excellent protection against scratches, stains, and fading. It’s suitable for high-traffic commercial spaces or residential areas where extra durability is needed, such as entryways or kitchens.

Thicker wear layers generally offer better protection and longevity, making them ideal for areas with higher foot traffic or where the floor may be subjected to more wear and tear. However, they may also come with a higher price tag. This is where it pays to work with a reputable flooring consultant to choose what’s right for you.

Core Layer

The thickness of the core layer in luxury vinyl planks varies depending on the specific product and the type of core material used. Generally, luxury vinyl planks can have core layer thicknesses ranging from about 4 mm to 8 mm, which will impact stability, durability, and structural support.

There are different types of core materials used each with its own characteristics:

• Stone Plastic Composite Core is made of a mixture of limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and stabilizers to make it rigid, dense, and highly durable. The thickness typically ranges from 3 mm to 6 mm, depending on the product.
• Wood Plastic Composite Core is made of a blend of wood fiber, plastic polymers, and foaming agents, providing dimensional stability, resilience, and some degree of sound insulation. The thickness of WPC cores generally ranges from 4 mm to 8 mm.
• Solid Vinyl Core features a solid vinyl core, which is made entirely of PVC. Solid vinyl cores offer good durability and water resistance. The thickness of solid vinyl cores can vary but typically falls within the range of 4 mm to 6 mm.

The choice of core material and thickness depends on factors such as the level of foot traffic, subfloor conditions, and desired performance characteristics. Thicker core layers generally provide better stability and resistance to impacts, while thinner cores may offer greater flexibility and cost savings.

Choosing Thickness – What’s Right For You?

When picking thickness, think about how much foot traffic the area gets. For busy spots like hallways or kitchens, thicker with strong layers will handle lots of use without wearing down quickly.

Check the surface where you’ll be installing luxury vinyl planks. If it’s not perfectly smooth, thicker planks with a solid core can cover up small bumps and give you a sturdy floor.

In places where there might be water, like bathrooms or basements, choose thicker LVP with a waterproof core. This helps prevent damage from spills or leaks.

Think about sound, especially if you live in a building with multiple floors. Thicker LVP with special layers can help keep things quieter.

Consider your budget. Thicker cores might cost more, but it often lasts longer and gives you better performance.

Make sure you know how to install it. Different thicknesses might need different methods, so pick one that matches your skills or get help from a professional.

Then, trust your gut. The purpose of posts like this are to offer suggestions as you weigh your decisions. Have more questions? Stop by or give us a call; we’re happy to answer any questions to help you feel more comfortable with your choice. And by thinking about these things now, you can choose the right thickness of luxury vinyl planks that works best for you and your space. And be happy for many years to come.